Anti-capsizing warning system for vehicles

ABSTRACT

An anti-capsizing warning system for vehicles comprising a sending unit mounted to the frame of the vehicle adjacent an axle thereof for completing an electrical circuit to energize a warning device disposed near the operator of the vehicle in response to an increase in the spacing between the axle and the frame of the vehicle beyond a predetermined level. The sending unit may preferably comprise one or more lever actuated microswitches and a flexible member or cable interconnecting the actuating lever of the microswitches and the axle. A second sending unit may be placed at the other end of the axle, and may be wired in parallel with the first sending unit, so that the warning device will be suitably actuated in response to the tipping of the vehicle in either direction.

United States Patent Mize [ 1 Sept. 19, 1972 ANTI-CAPSIZING WARNINGSYSTEM FOR VEHICLES [72] Inventor: Lawrence A. Mile, 161 Minorca Way,Millbrae, Calif. 94030 22 Filed: July 23, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 57,650

[52] 0.8. CI. ..340/52 R, 200/6152 [51] Int. Cl. ..H01h 35/02 [58] Fieldof Search.340/52 R, 58; ZOO/61.22, 61.45, ZOO/61.52

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,363,231 l/1968 Grosgebaueret al....340/58 X 2,957,058 10/1960 Trott ..200/6l.22

$31,766 9/1970 Henzel ..340/52 H 2,426,360 8/ 1947 Larison ..200/6l.22

2,499,669 3/ 1950 Murat ..200/61.22

Primary Examiner-Alvin H. Waring Attorney-Townsend and Townsend [S 7]ABSTRACT An anti-capsizing warning system for vehicles comprising asending unit mounted to the frame of the vehicle adjacent an axlethereof for completing an electrical circuit to energize a warningdevice disposed near the operator of the vehicle in response to anincrease in the spacing between the axle and the frame of the vehiclebeyond a predetermined level. The sending unit may preferably compriseone or more lever actuated microswitches and a flexible member or cableinterconnecting the actuating lever of the microswitches and the axle. Asecond sending unit may be placed at the other end of the axle, and maybe wired in parallel with the first sending unit, so that the warningdevice will be suitably actuated in response to the tipping of thevehicle in either direction.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED SEP 19 I972 27 23\Z2 2 E IT 3 W 7I8 FlG l 25 moi W |e 2 M w W FlG 3o FIG 3b INVENTOR- LAWRENCE A.hMZE

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ATTORNEYS ANTI-CAPSIZING WARNING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES This inventionrelates to an anti-capsizing warning system for vehicles.

When a vehicle negotiates a turn, centrifugal forces imparted to it tendto cause a shift in weight towards the outer side of the vehicle, andthus a tipping action. Of course, these forces are dependent upon thespeed of the vehicle and the radius of the turn. It is often difficultfor the driver to determine when the centrifugal forces are approachinga dangerous level sufficient to capsize the vehicle. Consequently,vehicles occasionally capsize or the driver will drive at a speed lowerthan optimal as an extra safety precaution. In addition,

tipping forces sufficient to cause capsizing might occur as a result ofhigh winds or road hazards.

Applicant has found that in a sprung vehicle, these tipping forcesproduce a loss in weight on the inside wheel, causing the springassociated therewith to decompress in proportion to this loss in weight.Furthermore, such decompression is accompanied by a proportionalincrease in the spacing between the frame and axle of the vehicle overthe inside wheel.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide ananti-capsizing warning system for vehicles in which a warning for theoperator is produced in response to the decompression of one of thesprings of the vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-capsizingwarning system for vehicles in which a warning for the operator isproduced in response to an increase in the spacing between the frame andaxle of the vehicle adjacent one of the wheels thereof.

These objects are met in accordance with the present invention byproviding an anti-capsizing warning system having a sending unit mountedto the frame of the vehicle above one of the wheels thereof, andresponsive to an increase in the spacing between the frame and the axle.The sending unit may preferably comprise one or more lever actuatedmicroswitches adapted to energize one or more warning devices disposedadjacent the driver of the vehicle. Each of the plural microswitches maybe adapted to be actuated upon varying degrees of loss in weight on thewheel, and may be connected to a different warning device so as toproduce different warnings representative of different degrees ofdanger. Furthermore, a second sending unit may be employed inassociation with the other end of the axle, and may be wired in parallelwith the first sending unit, so that the warning devices will beenergized in response to tipping of the vehicle in either direction.

The foregoing is advantageous in that the provision of an anti-capsizingwarning system according to the present invention enables the driver ofthe vehicle to drive at optimal speed, without fear of capsizing thevehicle as suitable warnings will be produced prior thereto, permittingthe driver to take appropriate corrective action. Furthermore, as willbe more readily apparent hereinafter, the anti-capsizing warning systemaccording to the present invention is relatively simple and inexpensive,and may be readily added to an existing vehicle.

These and other objects, features and advantages will be more readilyapparent from the following detailed justed by varying the length ofcable 22, and the reladescription of the invention, with reference tothe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an anti-capsizing warning system forvehicles according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 3a and 3b are rear views of a vehicle incorporating the apparatusdepicted in FIG. 1.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a frame member 15 of avehicle. Frame member 15 is mounted to an axle 16 by a leaf spring 17.Axle 16 is rotatably connected to a wheel 18 upon which a tire 19 ismounted. The foregoing vehicle suspension is old and is described forillustrative purposes only, it being understood that the anti-capsizingwarning system according to the present invention may be readily adaptedfor use with other types of vehicle suspension systems.

A sending unit 20, having an actuating lever 21, is attached to framemember 15 with the end of actuating lever 21 above axle 16. Sending unit20 comprises one or more microswitches having actuating lever 21 commonthereto. Each of the plural microswitches may be adapted to be actuatedupon varying amounts of pivotal movement of actuating lever 21.

The end of actuating lever 21 is attached to one end of a flexiblemember or cable 22. The other end of cable 22 is attached to axle 16,for example, by securing the end of cable 22 to a U-bolt 23, which isemployed to mount axle 16 to leaf spring 17. In this manner, actuatinglever 21 will be pivoted in accordance with the variation in the spacingbetween axle l6 and frame member 15. In particular, a shift in weight ofthe vehicle, such as that produced by centrifugal forces imparted to thevehicle during turning, may cause the load on tire 19 to decrease. This,in turn, will cause spring 17 to decompress, resulting in an increase inthe spacing between axle l6 and frame 15. Such an increase will causethe slack in cable 22 to be taken up, followed by the pivoting ofactuating lever 21.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, sending unit 20comprises a pair of microswitches 20a and 20b, adapted to be actuatedupon varying degrees of pivotal movement of actuating lever 21. Inparticular, microswitch 20a may be adapted to be actuated upon a degreeof pivotal movement of actuating lever 21 corresponding to a 35 percentloss of weight on axle 16 adjacent tire 19. Similarly, microswitch 20bmay be adapted to be actuated upon a degree of pivotal movement ofactuating lever 21 corresponding to a percent loss of weight on axle 16adjacent tire 19. Of course, the particular levels of loss in weightnecessary to actuate microswitches 20a or 20b may be readily adtionshipbetween switches 20a and 20b and actuating lever 2].

Sending unit 20 is electrically connected to a pair of warning devices24 and 25 by a pair of wires or leads 26 and 27, respectively. Inparticular, microswitch 20a is suitably connected to warning device 24by lead 26 so that warning device 24 will be energized upon actuation ofmicroswitch 20a. Similarly, warning device 25 is connected tomicroswitch 20b via lead 27, so that warning device 25 will be energizedupon actuation of microswitch 20b. In this manner, the energization ofwarning device 24 will indicate to the operator of the vehicle theexistence of a loss of weight of at least 35 percent on one of thewheels of the vehicle, and thus a somewhat dangerous condition.Similarly, the energization of warning device 25 will indicate to theoperator a loss of weight of at least 70 percent on one of the wheels ofthe vehicle, and thus the existence of a more dangerous condition.Accordingly, warning device 24 may be regarded as a caution indicator,and may thus comprise an amber warning light, while warning device 25represents a danger condition, and may thus comprise a red danger light.

Referring to FIG. 2, wherein warning devices 24 and 25 are depicted aslamps 24 and 25, the electrical circuitry of the anti-capsizing warningsystem according to the present invention will now be described. Oneterminal of each of lamps 24 and 25 are connected to the hot lead of thevehicle electrical supply, herein depicted as a battery 30. As isconvention in vehicular electrical wiring, the other terminal of battery30 is connected to the chassis or ground of the vehicle. The otherterminals of lamps 24 and 25 are respectively connected to leads 26 and27. As previously referred to, microswitches 20a and 20b of-sending unit20 are respectively connected to leads 26 and 27. Microswitches 20a and20b are normally open, and are adapted to connect leads 26 and 27 to thechassis upon actuation. It is thus apparent that actuation ofmicroswitch 20a or 20b will complete the electrical circuit to lamps 24or 25 via leads 26 or 27, thus resulting in the energization andillumination of lamps 24 or 25 as referred to hereinbefore. As isapparent from FIG. 2, additional sending units may be connected inparallel with sending unit 20. Specifically, there is shown a sendingunit 20' having microswitches 20a and 20b. Microswitch 20a is connectedto lead 26 and microswitch 20b is connected to lead 27 in a mannersimilar to, and in parallel with, microswitches 20a and 20b. In thismanner, plural sending units may be employed in conjunction with varyingwheels and axles of the vehicle, the plural sending units cooperatingwith the common warning devices 24 and 25 to alert the driver of a lossin weight on any of those wheels.

Referring to FIG. 3a, the anti-capsizing warning system according to thepresent invention is depicted in conjunction with a trailer A. Sendingunits 20 and 20 are mounted to frame members and 15, respectively, abovethe ends of axle 16. Accordingly, sending unit will be responsive to theloss in weight on wheel 19, while sending unit 20' will be responsive tothe loss in weight on wheel 19'. Thus, the anti-capsizing warning systemwill be responsive to tipping of trailer A in either direction. Inoperation, the movement of trailer A will be accompanied by variationsin the load on wheels 19 and 19 in accordance with shifts in weightcaused by centrifugal forces encountered in turning, wind or roadconditions. As referred to hereinbefore, such loss in weight causes adecompression of the springs of the trailer A. So long as such shifts inweight do not exceed a 35 percent loss in weight on wheels 19 or 19',the anti-capsizing warning system will remain inactive, and will thusnot interfere with the normal operation of the vehicle. This is apparentfrom FIG. 3a,

in which a slight tilt of trailer A is depicted. Although the tiltdepicted results in a loss of weight on wheel 19', sending unit 20' willnot be actuated as the loss of weight has not taken up the slack incable 22, and thus does not exceed the predetermined actuating level ofmicroswitch 20a, for example, a 35 percent loss in weight.

Referring to FIG. 3b, there is depicted the operation of theanti-capsizing system according to the present invention when the lossin weight on one of the wheels of the vehicle exceeds the predeterminedsafety or actuating level. Specifically, trailer A is depicted in FIG.3b, tilting to the left a sufficient amount to cause a loss in weight onwheel 19' of over 35 percent. As is apparent from FIG. 3b, the increasein spacing between frame member 15' and axle 16 has taken up the slackin cable 22', resulting in the pivoting of the actuating lever ofsending unit 20'. This, in turn, causes the actuation of microswitch 20aand the energization of warning device 24. If the operator of thevehicle, thus alerted, takes appropriate corrective measures, trailer Awill be righted, and warning device 24 will be extinguished by thedeactuation of microswitch 20a.

If, however, the tilting or tipping of trailer A increases, furtherpivotal movement of the actuating lever of sending unit 20' will occur,causing microswitch 20b to be actuated. This, in turn, will result inthe energization of warning device 25, thus indicating to the operatorof the vehicle that the vehicle is in imminent danger of capsizing.

Accordingly, the anti-capsizing warning device according to the presentinvention functions to warn the operator of impending danger ofcapsizing due to a shift in weight of the vehicle as might beencountered in turning, or due to wind or road conditions. Furthermore,it is apparent that the apparatus according to the present invention maybe readily added to an existing vehicle, with the degree or degrees ofthe danger of capsizing upon which warnings are to be produced beingreadily pre-settable upon installation.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shownand described, it is to be understood that modifications or adaptationsmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention, as set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An anti-capsizing warning system for a vehicle having spring mountedwheels, the spring mounting of at least one of said wheels on each sideof said vehicle being independent of the other wheels on the same oneside of said vehicle, comprising first sending means for producing anelectrical signal solely in response to an increase in the spacingbetween the frame of said vehicle and one of said at least one wheels ofsaid vehicle beyond a predetermined level and an electrically operatedwarning device responsive to said electrical signal.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first sending meanscomprises a lever actuated microswitch mounted to the frame of saidvehicle adjacent the end of the axle of said vehicle associated withsaid wheel and a flexible member connecting the actuating lever of saidmicroswitch and said axle.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising second sending means forproducing an electrical signal in response to an increase in the spacingbetween the frame of said vehicle and another of said at least onewheels of said vehicle electrically connected in parallel with saidfirst sending means, said another wheel being at the opposite end of theaxle carrying said one wheel.

4. An anti-capsizing warning system for a vehiclehaving spring mountedwheels, the spring mounting of at least one of said wheels on each sideof said vehicle being independent of the other wheels on the same oneside of said vehicle, comprising first sending means for producing anelectrical signal solely in response to an increase in the spacingbetween the frame of said vehicle and one of said at least one wheels ofsaid vehicle beyond a predetermined level and an electrically operatedwarning device responsive to said electrical signal.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first sending meanscomprises a plurality of lever actuated microswitches mounted to theframe of said vehicle adjacent the end of the axle of said vehicleassociated with said wheel, said microswitches having a common actuatinglever, said microswitches being adapted to actuate upon varying degreesof pivotal movement of said actuating lever, and a flexible memberconnecting said actuating lever and said axle.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said warning means comprises aplurality of electricallyoperated warning devices, each of said warningdevices being electrically connected to one of said microswitches.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first sending meanscomprise a pair of lever actuated microswitches mounted to the frame ofsaid vehicle adjacent the end of the axle of said vehicle associatedwith said wheel, said microswitches having a common actuating lever,said microswitches being adapted to actuate upon different degrees ofpivotal movement of said actuating lever, and a flexible memberconnecting said actuating lever and said axle.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said warning means comprises apair of electricallyoperated warning devices, each of which iselectrically connected to one of said microswitches.

9. Apparatus according to claim 4 comprising second sending means forproducing electrical signals in response to an increase in the spacingbetween the frame of said vehicle and another of said at least onewheels of said vehicle electrically connected in parallel with saidfirst sending means, said another wheel being at the opposite end of theaxle carrying said one wheel.

1. An anti-capsizing warning system for a vehicle having spring mountedwheels, the spring mounting of at least one of said wheels on each sideof said vehicle being independent of the other wheels on the same oneside of said vehicle, comprising first sending means for producing anelectrical signal solely in response to an increase in the spacingbetween the frame of said vehicle and one of said at least one wheels ofsaid vehicle beyond a predetermined level and an electrically operatedwarning device responsive to said electrical signal.
 2. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said first sending means comprises a leveractuated microswitch mounted to the frame of said vehicle adjacent theend of the axle of said vehicle associated with said wheel and aflexible member connecting the actuating lever of said microswitch andsaid axle.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising second sendingmeans for producing an electrical signal in response to an increase inthe spacing between the frame of said vehicle and another of said atleast one wheels of said vehicle electrically connected in parallel withsaid first sending means, said another wheel being at the opposite endof the axle carrying said one wheel.
 4. An anti-capsizing warning systemfor a vehicle having spring mounted wheels, the spring mounting of atleast one of said wheels on each side of said vehicle being independentof the other wheels on the same one side of said vehicle, comprisingfirst sending means for producing an electrical signal solely inresponse to an increase in the spacing between the frame of said vehicleand one of said at least one wheels of said vehicle beyond apredetermined level and an electrically operated warning deviceresponsive to said electrical signal.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4wherein said first sending means comprises a plurality of lever actuatedmicroswitches mounted to the frame of said vehicle adjacent the end ofthe axle of said vehicle associated with said wheel, said microswitcheshaving a common actuaTing lever, said microswitches being adapted toactuate upon varying degrees of pivotal movement of said actuatinglever, and a flexible member connecting said actuating lever and saidaxle.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said warning meanscomprises a plurality of electrically-operated warning devices, each ofsaid warning devices being electrically connected to one of saidmicroswitches.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said firstsending means comprise a pair of lever-actuated microswitches mounted tothe frame of said vehicle adjacent the end of the axle of said vehicleassociated with said wheel, said microswitches having a common actuatinglever, said microswitches being adapted to actuate upon differentdegrees of pivotal movement of said actuating lever, and a flexiblemember connecting said actuating lever and said axle.
 8. Apparatusaccording to claim 7 wherein said warning means comprises a pair ofelectrically-operated warning devices, each of which is electricallyconnected to one of said microswitches.
 9. Apparatus according to claim4 comprising second sending means for producing electrical signals inresponse to an increase in the spacing between the frame of said vehicleand another of said at least one wheels of said vehicle electricallyconnected in parallel with said first sending means, said another wheelbeing at the opposite end of the axle carrying said one wheel.